Every day, thousands of people in Fort Lauderdale rely on buses to get where they need to go. Commuters ride Broward County Transit, students board school buses, and travelers take shuttles to the airport, the cruise port, and area hotels.
Most of those trips end without incident. When a bus crash happens, though, the injuries can be severe, and the legal process that follows is often more complicated than a typical car accident claim. Government agencies, private transportation companies, and several insurance policies may all be involved, each with its own rules and deadlines.
If you were hurt as a passenger, driver, cyclist, or pedestrian in a bus accident, the Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers at Rosen Injury Law can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (954) 787-1500 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Rosen Injury Law
- Board-certified trial leadership. Our team is led by a double board-certified trial lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience representing injured people in South Florida.
- Proven experience handling complex claims. Bus cases often involve government notice requirements, federal regulations, and multiple insurers. We manage each one from the start.
- Local and accessible. With offices in Fort Lauderdale and Davie, we’re close to the communities we serve, and our team speaks Spanish.
- No fee unless we win. You pay nothing up front, and you owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
- Honest guidance. We explain your options clearly and keep you informed at every stage of your case.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Buses are large, heavy, and hard to maneuver, and many make frequent stops in heavy traffic. Crashes often happen because of:
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or aggressive driving to stay on schedule
- Inadequate driver training
- Poor driver hiring practices
- Worn brakes, tires, or steering components caused by poor maintenance
- Defective equipment that malfunctions during use
- Pulling into or out of stops without checking for traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians
- Wide turns and large blind spots
- Other drivers cutting off or rear-ending a bus
Not every bus injury involves a collision. Passengers can also be hurt when a driver brakes suddenly, pulls away before a rider is seated, or closes a door on someone who is boarding or exiting.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Depending on the facts, one or more parties may be liable for a bus accident. Some potentially liable parties include the bus driver, the bus company, maintenance contractors, and negligent employment agencies.
Other parties that may be responsible include government entities, bus or equipment manufacturers, and other drivers.
Florida law treats companies that transport the public for pay as common carriers and holds them to a very high standard of care toward their passengers. That heightened duty can be an important part of a passenger’s claim.
Claims Involving Public Buses and School Buses
When a government agency operates the bus, the claim follows special rules under Florida’s sovereign immunity law, Fla. Stat. § 768.28. These rules apply to crashes involving Broward County Transit and school buses operated by the school district:
- Written notice is required. Before filing a lawsuit, you must give written notice of the claim to the responsible agency. Some claims also require notice to the Florida Department of Financial Services.
- There is a waiting period. The agency generally has time to investigate and respond before a lawsuit can proceed.
- Damages are capped. Recovery against a government entity is generally limited to $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. Higher amounts require a separate claim bill passed by the Legislature.
- Different deadlines apply. Government claims follow their own notice and filing timelines, separate from the rules for private defendants.
Missing a notice requirement can seriously damage a valid claim. Because the per-incident cap may have to be divided among many injured passengers, it’s also important to act quickly.
Private Bus Companies and Insurance Coverage
When charter and tour bus companies carry passengers across state lines, they must carry federal minimum liability insurance under 49 C.F.R. § 387.33. This minimum coverage is far higher than what ordinary drivers carry.
Hotel, airport, and apartment shuttles may be owned by one company and operated by another. Sorting out which company and which policy is responsible is often the first step.
Even large commercial policies can stretch thin after a bus crash. When dozens of passengers are hurt in the same accident, they may all file claims under the same coverage. Acting quickly to document your injuries and present your claim can help protect your share.
Common Injuries in Bus Accidents
Bus passengers, occupants of other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians can sustain severe injuries in an accident. Some of the most common injuries sustained in bus accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, hips, and wrists
- Facial injuries and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Crush injuries and amputations
How a Fort Lauderdale Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
An experienced Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer will quickly work to determine who owns and operates the bus involved in your accident, and which rules apply.
They can send the required notices to government agencies, so you meet your deadlines. They can act fast to request onboard video, GPS data, and maintenance records before they are overwritten, lost, or destroyed.
Your attorney can review a bus driver’s qualifications, training, and scheduling records, work to identify all potentially liable parties, and build your strongest case. An experienced Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer will help establish and accurately value all your current and future economic and non-economic damages, so you know what a fair settlement of your claim would be. They can work to resolve your case as quickly as possible. If a fair settlement is not reached, they can take your case to trial to demand the full value of your claim.
Your chances of a successful outcome are much higher when an experienced Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyer represents you.
Speak With Rosen Injury Law About Your Bus Accident
A bus accident can leave you facing painful injuries, unexpected bills, and questions about what comes next. You don’t have to sort it out alone. The Fort Lauderdale bus accident lawyers at Rosen Injury Law are ready to review your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward. Call us today at (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule your free consultation.